White Float Coats for Alaska Whalers

[AK_sailor]

Even North Slope whalers now have PFDs that work for their situation. Efforts by the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, the USCG, Mustang, ConocoPhillips, and Shell have made custom white Float Coats available for whale crews. See Alaska whalers will wear white for the spring season: Rural Alaska | adn.com

Whaling is a key part of North Slope native's traditions. These guys hunt big whales in small boats, in very cccccold water.

[David M]

I believe most animals are color blind. Were it me I would be out there in yellow or fluorescent orange. I kinda doubt Moby would notice the difference. Besides won't marine mammals that use echo location hear these guys banging around in a boat or running an engine long before they see them?

I'm no expert at these things and I am not knocking what they are doing but it does throw up these questions. Does anyone know for sure?

Nobody made them some white hats?

[Bash]

Originally Posted by David M

I believe most animals are color blind.

All marine mammals, including cetaceans, have color vision, although it is generally red-shifted.

A good review on the topic: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sourc...30b7iQ&cad=rja

[Shrew]

Originally Posted by David M

I believe most animals are color blind.

Almost every fish and marine mammal exhibits some form of countershading. (Please note ALMOST, not all).

[IceDog]

I know that I would much prefer a high visibility color myself. The photo below shows our search and rescue team training on the Antarctic peninsula. Imagine trying to find a victim in a white float coat in that water...

[Blue Stocking]

Ah shucks!!--so all dem purty culers at da bass-pro shop is fur me--an' not da dinner.

[AK_sailor]

Originally Posted by David M

.... Were it me I would be out there in yellow or fluorescent orange....

And you probably wouldn't get many whales either.

Virtually everyone who has been fortunate enough to spend time with Eskimo hunters has come away impressed with their profound understanding of their environment, and their ability to survive there. If they say they need white...then they need white!

Originally Posted by IceDog

I know that I would much prefer a high visibility color myself. The photo below shows our search and rescue team training on the Antarctic peninsula. Imagine trying to find a victim in a white float coat in that water...

When your boat capsizes, the white PFD you are actually wearing is infinately superior to the orange one you are not wearing because it isn't appropriate to your activity. One could say the same thing about the camo PFDs used by duck hunters.

[IceDog]

When your boat capsizes, the white PFD you are actually wearing is infinately superior to the orange one you are not wearing because it isn't appropriate to your activity

(AK_sailor)

I agree completely AK_sailor and I am glad they now have an acceptable option. My statement expressed my own preference only...I know what that water feels like when you are in it. It's not fun.

[AK_sailor]

Originally Posted by IceDog

(AK_sailor)

I agree completely AK_sailor and I am glad they now have an acceptable option. My statement expressed my own preference only...I know what that water feels like when you are in it. It's not fun.

I understand. Probably no one on this forum will have need of a white float coat for arctic whaling. I posted it mostly as a curiosity, and to illustrate the incredible variety of PFD options available. Ones for white water kayakers, inflatable ones with harness for sailors, camo ones for duck hunters, ones with cartoon characters for kids, ones designed to work with body armor for the military....you name it, you can get one.